Michael Kistner

Michael T. Kistner “Mickey” age 74 of Packanack Lake in Wayne, NJ, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, April 3, 2022.

Born in Glen Ridge, the third of William and Edith (Carroll) Kistner’s five sons, Mike was raised in Verona where, while attending Verona High School, he was involved in athletics, playing for the school’s hockey, baseball and football teams before graduating with the Class of 1965.

Mike pursued higher education at Bryant College in Providence, Rhode Island where again, he played baseball, was a proud member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) fraternity and, feeling the importance of serving his country, concurrently served proudly in the Armed Forces of the United States as a member of the National Guard. He graduated with his Bachelor’s degree in accounting. Desiring to work as an educator, he attended St. Peter’s College in Jersey City where he earned his teaching certification. Mike’s first job was with the George Washington Middle School in Wayne. He would eventually move up to the district's Wayne Valley High School where he taught business classes by day while pursuing a Master’s degree at Montclair State University in the evenings. By the time Mike left Wayne Valley High School, he was chair of the business department. From there he went on to serve as business administrator for the Park Ridge, Englewood Cliffs, and Mountain Lakes Boards of Education. After that, Mike chose retirement but quickly realized that he still had more he wanted to accomplish, so he took on a new challenge at the Windsor Learning Center in Pompton Lakes where again, he served as business administrator until fully retiring in 2018.

While teaching in Wayne, Mike joined the faculty bowling league and bowled every Wednesday at T-Bowl Lanes in Wayne. One time after bowling while out for a drink with other faculty members, he met another teacher named Janice Piccolo. They got to talking with one another and they both sensed an initial spark. That encounter took place immediately before the school's winter break and Mike was leaving the next day to go on a snow skiing trip. Before he left, he asked Janice if she would like to go on a date when he returned. Her answer was “Yes” and that first date was to the Clairidge Cinema in Montclair where they saw Jeremiah Johnson. After that, they went out to Torpy’s Restaurant in Wayne. Janice and Mike quickly fell in love and no more than three weeks later, Mike proposed marriage to Janice in her apartment by handing her a travel brochure of Puerto Rico that just happened to have an engagement ring taped inside. Within six months of their first date, on Saturday, November 10, 1973, they made their wedding promises to each other before God, family and friends at St. Clare’s Church in Clifton. Following the wedding ceremony, they hosted a reception at the Fiesta in Wood-Ridge before heading off on their honeymoon to Puerto Rico, of course!

After the wedding, Mike and Janice settled into their first home together as husband and wife. It was Janice’s apartment before marriage at 42 Traphagen Road in Wayne. Two years later and with Janice now nine months pregnant, her parents moved to Florida so Mike and Janice purchased their home in Clifton at 35 Myron Street. Then in 1986, they moved once more, this time with their two children, Lori and Brian, to their present home in Packanack Lake.

During their married years, Mike and Janice took trips to Aruba, the Dominican Republic, Las Vegas and to Disney World with their grandchildren but, hands down, Mike’s favorite place to be was down at his and Janice’s Jersey shore house in Ship Bottom. Just eight houses from the beach, it was his special place! Mike couldn’t get enough of the sand and the surf and it was a perfect place to go for a daily run, an activity that Mike was highly committed to. In fact, he competed in three New York Marathons and once in the Boston Marathon. Needless to say, Mike was a huge sports fan, especially baseball, and his favorite team was the Yankees until George Steinbrenner took over. Because he and Janice would take frequent trips to visit her parents in Florida, he started watching the Atlanta Braves airing locally on TBS and consequently, he became a Braves fan. Because Mike’s daughter and son both attended Rutgers, he always rooted for the school’s basketball and football teams.

Mike was a man of integrity. Valuing proper stewardship of the earth’s natural resources, conservation and recycling were constant pursuits. He regularly returned from a walk or a run with pockets full of recyclables that he had picked up along the way. Mike was also a man of principal and he valued and exercised his right of free speech by writing letters to the editor of the newspaper on a vast array of subjects that he considered important.

Above all else, Mike was a loved and highly respected husband, father, and grandfather. He and Janice shared a love that only grew with time. He was a true family man who strived to be a positive influence in his son and daughter’s lives. When they were young Mike coached his son Brian’s basketball and baseball games and never missed any of his daughter Lori’s band performances. His support for them was a lifetime commitment as he was always available to offer the wisdom of his age on matters they faced into adulthood. He was also a hands-on grandfather who went to all of Ethan and Mason’s swim meets, baseball games, soccer matches, and school performances; and was so looking forward to little Sophia’s upcoming dance recital in May. Short of changing diapers, he’d do anything for his grandchildren. He loved sitting with them on the beach where, as a born teacher, he enjoyed opening their eyes to the wonders of this world. Whether it was swimming with them in the ocean or sleigh riding with them at Verona Park, he loved spending time with them being as active as they were. He even had fun dressing up with them for Halloween. Mike was the truest of family men and his legacy will live on in those whom he loved and who loved him right back.

Mike was the very beloved husband of Janice (Piccolo) Kistner, blessed in marriage for 48 years. He was the loving father of Lori Whitford and her husband Rick of Ship Bottom, NJ, and Brian Kistner and his wife Kristen of Verona; cherished grandfather of: Ethan, Mason and Sophia Kistner; and dear brother of: the late Donald Kistner, Kenneth Kistner and his late wife Marilyn of Verona, Gary Kistner and his late wife Barbara of Verona, and James Kistner of Wayne. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Mike’s name are asked to consider:

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Memorial Processing
501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105-9959

Shriner’s Hospitals for Children
Office of Development
2900 Rocky Point Drive
Tampa, FL  33607